The World Can't Wait

This initiative draws on information and communication technology (ICT) for citizen-inspired advocacy around the MDGs. Although the End Poverty Blog is jointly operated by several partner organisations and includes posts from staff, volunteers, journalists, and other members, this particular campaign focused on spurring everyday citizens to lend their voice to the G8 meeting. That is, this campaign - "The World Can't Wait. End Poverty. Now." - is designed to enable people to communicate with leaders of the 8 economically wealthiest countries about the importance of "keeping their promises" related to development issues such as aid, trade, and climate change.

Specifically, citizens from around the world were invited (e.g., through an email sent the day before the G8 gathering was to begin) to add their "video voice" by visiting a dedicated page on the blog. By using the free services of the website which hosts user-generated videos, YouTube, participants in this campaign were urged to contribute to a "unified voice" to "encourage our leaders to act on their promises." Organisers of the campaign encouraged people to use a video camera, webcam, or even cameraphone to record their messages. Instructions indicated that participants could communicate in any language, but that each participant should conclude his or her video with the following phrase (in English): "The World Can't Wait. End Poverty. Now!" (Options for uploading and/or emailing videos can be accessed by clicking here.) Those without access to such technology were invited to add a text comment by clicking on a dedicated link on the website.

This initiative is connected to a broader United Kingdom (UK)- based campaign launched by a diverse group of organisations calling on the world's leaders to meet their commitments to end poverty. Visitors to a "Get Involved" page on the "The World Can't Wait" website are presented with a number of options for adding their voice to those concerned about poverty and what world leaders are doing about it. For instance, people were asked to send an email to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and add their names to the international petition that was to be handed over to the Chancellor before the G8 Summit. Instructions are also offered for how to email one's Minister of Parliament (MP).

In addition to these forms of ICT-based advocacy, local, face-to-face events are integrated into the UK-based World Can't Wait campaign. Organisers estimate that up to 10,000 attended a pre-G8 (June 2 2007) event in London; people brought homemade banners and placards, many wearing headbands to express their messages to the G8. During the gathering, there was a minute of silence held in solidarity with those who live in poverty. This was followed by 3 minutes of noise as the crowd blew whistles, banged drums, and let off alarm clocks while chanting "G8 - The World Can't Wait". Those interested in organising smaller, locally based events in an effort to "give people in your community a chance to find out why it's so important to raise our voices against poverty" may access a freely downloadable toolkit, PowerPoint presentation, and poster - as well as a listing of other local events - by clicking here.

Economic Development, Overseas Development Assistance, the Environment.

In 2000, world leaders agreed to achieve the 8 MDGs, including ending extreme poverty by 2015. G8 leaders made promises at Gleneagles, Scotland in 2005 to the end of fulfilling these goals, but organisers of "The World Can't Wait. End Poverty. Now." argue that "two years later and halfway to 2015, those same leaders have not gone far enough to keep their promises."